Hypocrisy though is no longer racist, according to The National Council for La Raza, speaking for the United Negro College Fund, according to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, at a meeting of the Black Congressional Caucus. It remains improper to call mulattos mulatto.

This is cultural Marxism, an effort to control thought and language, by applying opprobrium, cultural taboos and using social constructs designed to pit classes against each other in a power struggle. It leads up to use of force justified by new law, to exercise political control over a population. It’s a very effective political technique and tearing at the fabric of America.

Jim is a former Marine, and has worked for the federal government for years. He is a good man, even though we differ politically and philosophically on many levels.

Jim LOVES trains. Especially train history and actually traveling in them. My father, who had worked on the railroad for a time (like his father before him) left me a gold-filled pocket watch, with a fob and locker key. The key was to his locker in Grand Central Station, NY!

Jim loves trains so much that for his 50th birthday, I gave him my father’s watch, fob and key. I knew he would appreciate it much more than me.

When we were in high school, Jim joined the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Got me to join, too. And Jim, his younger brother John and I took an overnight train trip from Flagstaff to L.A., and back (after spending a day @ Disneyland.)

The government running goods and services just isn’t healthy for the economy! (BTW – my ‘membership’ in the NARP only lasted one year. My heart wasn’t in it.)

Sorry Jim! And that government-run postal service for whom you work isn’t a bastion of efficiency and profit, either! Maybe they should increase the cost of their ad deliveries and get into the 21st Century offering Email and computer message services?

The Silicon Graybeard, connected us to The Daily Sheeple, who informs us of more skullduggery in the realm of the financial world.

Authorize.Net LLC (“Authorize.Net”) has determined that the nature of your business constitutes a violation of Section 2.xiv of the Authorize.Net Acceptable Use Guidelines and Sections 3.3 and 11.3 of the Authorize.Net Service Agreement (the “Agreement”).

These sections include, but are not limited to, the sale of firearms or any similar product. (emphasis Guffaw)

Accordingly, pursuant to Section 4 of the Acceptable Use Guidelines, your ability to access and use the Authorize.NetServices will be terminated on September 30, 2013.

(from a letter posted to a gun store in business four years, using ‘Authorize.net’ (aka VISA) services)

Reminded of my ‘days of yore’ in the credit card industry. When I began @ TMCCC (That Major Credit Card Company) in the late 80s, they said if we determined a business was of a ‘questionable’ nature, we could have their account canceled. Their focus was more on so-called ‘adult’ businesses, like porn shops and strip clubs.

Of course, after they determined they were ‘losing their shirts’ not taking business from strip clubs (e.g. irony), the policy was quietly discontinued.

If we all stopped using VISA, not just for purchasing firearms and equipment, but for EVERYTHING, do you think they would also reconsider their policy?

My roommate sprung for lunch, yesterday. We went to SMASHBURGER; first time visitors. It was kinda like an upscale McDonalds. Clean, organized, comfortable. Greasy/Juicy burgers in a multitude of varieties, with a variety of sides, including some healthier choices.

They also had beer (!) and Haagen Dazs milkshakes! No, those weren’t the healthier choices.

Arizona CCW Law says one may carry into a place that serves alcohol, if it’s predominantly a food emporium and one doesn’t drink whilst carrying. Unless there is the dreaded ‘No Guns/Weapons Allowed’ sign posted. Open Carry has been legal in Arizona since she was a territory! (Statehood – 1912, last of the 48!)

Smashburger had this sign, which I’d not seen before:

I did find this amusing, as this is a fairly liberal college town, and the sign didn’t conform to the CCW statute guidelines. Of course, I would have prefered no sign at all, but hey, it’s their business.

We anticipate a return visit sometime, but not necessarily soon. It’s no Thirsty Lion!

Coffee – the low end of the speed spectrum, I grant you – George Carlin

Some years back, I was on a ‘health food’ regimen. The specifics aren’t important, but one of the many things I denied myself (after years of thoroughly enjoying it) was caffeine.

Withdrawal was, what’s the quaint phrase? Hell-On-Wheels.

But after about six week of withdrawing from pretty much everything I liked, I suddenly awakened feeling better. And speaking of awakening, I slept like a rock, no interruptions, and awakened refreshed and energized!

This was not the insomnia-ridden, no-bladder-control, wake up tired experience I was used to!

And it was marvelous. For a few years.

But, all good things must come to an end. One of the things I’d NOT denied myself was television. And with television came commercials. With all her sexy, image-laden taunts of cheeseburgers, doughnuts, steak, ribs, french fries, and pizza. And most importantly coffee and soda.

And soon I had another troop of chemically-laden, empty-caloried monkeys on my back! Caffeine (and other things) in all her glory.

I’ve been thinking about giving it up again. At least the caffeine. Certainly all the diet soda I consume cannot be healthy for me. (Not to mention the chemicals).

But, not today!

God give me chastity. But don’t give it yet – Saint Augustine

(Now, seriously – where else will you see images of The Godfather and St. Augustine in the same essay?)

I always wanted a business card. When I was a kid, that was somehow a symbol you’ve ‘made it’. I even hand drew my own when I was a kid magician. And when I first had my P.I. business, I couldn’t afford much, so I spent what little I had on business cards and letterhead. Cheaper than a real office…

I came across these on the Internet, and found them of interest. You might visit the link below to see the whole collection…

Americans historically don’t like politics, and this time around is no different. We suffered through 18 months of vile political attack ads, then went into the booth, held our respective noses and pulled the lever.

And what did we get for our trouble? COOL.

After all, American Tradition shows us we vote for the coolest guy. How many generals, admirals, war heroes and other military folk have run for President or Vice President, because for most of this country’s history such people were thought of as cool? Does this mean they are qualified civilian administrators and policy makers? Not necessarily.

The advent of modern telecommunication, computers, the Internet and email, coupled with the anti- (fill-in-the-blank) movement, another dimension has been added. Just like cinema of the late 60s/early 70s reflected the counter-culture, so did politics. And cool took on another facet.

Suddenly, the cool guy wasn’t the former Army General or the guy whose PT boat was sliced in half by a Japanese destroyer, it was the guy who reluctant served, or the guy who didn’t even serve at all.

There was a time that American ideals meant a Norman Rockwell painting, not a poster from Mother Jones. Suddenly it was okay to hold high office having admittedly done marijuana and cocaine in one’s youth. Instead of just drinking.

The other day, I wrote about Personal Responsibility. Today, it’s about Customer Service. Or rather the lack, thereof…

Roomie and I went gallivanting about the other afternoon, running some errands. We visited a local dry cleaning store. Roomie and I are helping prepare her stepmother’s house for sale (her stepmother is in a care facility at age 88). We had some draperies that needing cleaning.

“We don’t do cur-ens!” she was told. We hunted around and located another establishment that would do cur-ens.

Then, we went to T-Mobile. Roomie gets her cellular telephone/Internet service through them, and allows me access through her hotspot. Saves us both a little money over having separate services. Said hotspot wasn’t holding an Internet connection, and kept saying ‘low battery’, even though it charged all night.

I’d like to say the T-Mobile store connected the device to a machine to determine if it was the high-tech battery failing, or perhaps the device, itself. I’d like to say that, but NO. The clerk (behind the counter labelled ANSWERS) told us he didn’t know much about hotspots, then looked up the warranty info on his computer (which was built apparently by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse using paraffin candles for illumination!) and eventually told us good news, a replacement battery was under warranty! Instead of costing $60, it was free! Plus the $7.99, no $8.99, no $11.99 handling charge for overnight delivery! (it WAS $7.99 for 5 day delivery, he explained) Special!

So, sometime tomorrow we’ll see if it’s the battery or something else that failed…(written Wednesday)

Profiles in Curry

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Gibson

Browncoat

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The Four Rules

1. ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED.

2. NEVER POINT YOUR MUZZLE AT SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.

3. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET AND YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

4. KNOW YOUR TARGET AND WHAT'S BEYOND.

Certified EVIL!

FEAR

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
- Bene Gesserit, from Frank Herbert's Dune

Penn Jillette

“F**k Civility. Hyperbole, passion, and metaphor are beautiful parts of rhetoric. The marketplace of ideas cannot be toned down for the insane.” - Penn Jillette

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I'm currently on disability, unable to work, and receive marginal benefits. I've been advised by SSDI I may receive some additional income. Based on their statements, I'm adding a bleg to this blog.
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